* 2011 University of Michigan Peer Support
Effectiveness Study - Read More »

OUR NEXT MEETING

What is Depression Recovery Groups?

Depression Recovery Groups is a service that brings people who suffer with depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety together to learn, share and encourage each other. Meetings are conducted via computers and the internet - they are a combination of a conference call and a web meeting. Each meeting is led by a professional who has training and experience with these issues. Meetings include a brief education segment and time for voluntary sharing.

What is the difference between Depression Recovery Groups and a depression chat room or forum?

Depression Recovery Groups offers regularly scheduled, live web meetings where people come together with the help of a professional facilitator to discuss how they are doing and to help each other. It a combination of a conference call and a web meeting. Everyone can hear each other and they can interact with each other using their computers. They can type and draw on the screen and everyone can see everyone else's input. Chat rooms are places where people can only type to each other or to a group. They usually don't have a facilitator. Forums don't happen in real time. People write notes to a group and others may or may not respond and it may take hours or days before a response is posted.

I've never been in a group like yours before. What should I expect?

In each Depression Recovery Groups meeting, you will log into the meeting before it starts and you can send a message to the rest of the group while you are waiting for the meeting to begin. After reviewing the meeting guidelines, each person "checks-in" and indicates how strongly they have a need to share. One of the guidelines is that is okay to not share - listening is just fine. Then there is a brief education segment on a helpful topic. The heart of the meeting is next: a specific amount of time for participants to discuss problems and successes. Questions, suggestions and encouragement from the rest of the group is welcomed.

How long do the group meetings last?

Each group meeting lasts up to 90 minutes, depending on the size and needs of the group.

Won't talking with other people who are depressed just make me more depressed?

Not usually. It's possible that something you hear might act as a depressive trigger for you, but our meetings try to focus on what's working, suggestions and encouragement. We try to avoid having a "pity party". We actually believe that in many cases, if you start to feel down as result of what's happening in the meeting, this might actually be a helpful sign of something important that is going on for you. It could also be very useful if you mentioned to the rest of the group what you are experiencing, because others might have similar feelings or may have specific ideas for you to consider.

What if I don't feel like talking or sharing?

There is never any pressure to talk or share. At check-in, you can simply say your first name (or any name you choose to remain anonymous) and indicate that you don't want to speak. One of our guidelines is that "it is okay not to share; much can be gained by just listening."

Will others be able to see me?

No - no one will be able to see you. The only webcam that will be used in our meetings is that of the meeting leader.

What do I need to attend an online support group?

You will need a computer with an internet connection and a telephone or VOIP for the audio portion of the meeting. CLICK HERE for additional information.

Can I get a copy of the materials that are presented in a meeting?

Yes - please CLICK HERE to get instructions on how to save, view and print the meeting material.

What should I do if I am having difficulty getting into a meeting or having the audio portion of the meeting work?

Absolutely. When you join a meeting, you specifically type in the name you’d like to use in that meeting so you can remain totally anonymous. We will not release any of your information or any comments you make in a meeting.

If I have a personal emergency or am suicidal, can you help me?

We are a self-help and peer support group service devoted to helping individuals with depression. We do not have doctors, counselors or health professionals available to respond to your specific difficulties, and we do not have the capacity to respond to urgent or personal requests for help or advice.
If you are in need of urgent medical or psychological assistance, please contact your local doctor, the emergency department of your local hospital, a specialist mental health service provider or other health professional.

Is there someone I can speak to one-on-one?

If you feel you need to speak to someone one-on-one, we would recommend you seek out a licensed health care practitioner in your local community.

Why do I need to register?

Once you complete registration, for future visits, all you need to do is log in. Your previous information is retained confidentially in our system, which includes your time zone, so meeting registration is now faster and easier!

How do I register?

It’s easy! If this is your first visit, click on the “Join” button on the main page in order to proceed to our one-time registration.
Fill out our simple registration form, which includes your name, state, country, and email address. We also ask that you provide us with an emergency contact, only to be used in case of emergency. You can also fill out our optional survey to help us plan our meetings, but it’s not required.
Click continue, and confirm your time zone.
Select and answer the security question of your choice, and click continue.
You are done! You will receive an email from us that will contain your new login information. Once you receive it, you can login to your new account and you will not need to register again.

I never received my confirmation email after registering on the site. What should I do?

First, be sure to check your computer/email spam filter to be sure the email is not “caught”.
Add us to your email contact list.
You can go back to the login page and reset your password. Just click on the blue “Forgot password” link to have your confirmation email resent.

What if I forget my login or password?

On the main page, click the “Login” button.
In the green login information box, click on the blue “Forgot Password” link.
Enter your email address in the box and click “Reset Password”.
Your password will be automatically reset and an email will be sent to the address you entered containing a new temporary password.
Log in using your email address and your temporary password.
You will be asked to change your temporary password to the password of your choice. Please be sure to make a note of the new password, as you will use it every time you log in to register for a meeting.

I don’t want to use my real name in a meeting. What do I do so that I can stay anonymous?

You can use any name you’d like in a meeting. The name you register with will not show up when you register—that information is kept completely separate. You are in control of what name you use when you register for a meeting.
After you’ve logged in, when you click “Register” for a specific meeting, you will be prompted to enter your email address and the name you would like to be identified with in the meeting. This can be your first name, a nickname, or any name that makes you feel comfortable! That is only name that will be displayed to others.

Where do I see my scheduled meetings?

After you log in, you will be automatically taken to your personal homepage, which will show you the meeting you’ve registered for, and meetings you are waitlisted for.
Upcoming meetings can be viewed via your meeting calendar.
To register for any upcoming meeting, just click on the “Register” button for the meeting you’d like to attend and you are all set.
You can also register immediately for the next meeting using the box on the lower left side of your personal homepage.

Can I be notified of upcoming meetings?

You can follow us on Facebook and Twitter to see announcements of upcoming meetings.

Will my participation in a meeting be anonymous?

Yes! Your registration information is kept separate and confidential, and when you register for a meeting, you can use any name you’d like. The name you register with will not show up when you register—that information is kept completely separate. You are in control of what name you use when you register for a meeting.

I would like to recommend your services to a friend. How can I do that?

Simply go to the “Tell a Friend” box on the main homepage, enter your friend’s email address as well as yours, and add a subject and message, if you’d like, then click “Send”.

Will I receive emails or spam?

No. We will not release or sell your email address to anyone, and your information is kept confidential. You can opt to subscribe to our email list.
All information entered on our site is encrypted and secured by Trustwave.

Do I have to have a webcam?

No, you do not need a webcam. You can listen through your computer’s speakers and speak via VOIP headset or microphone, or by phone.

Can I join more than one meeting a week?

Absolutely! Some meetings cover specialized topics, but you are able to join as many or as few as you wish each week.

Will others be able to see me?

No - no one will be able to see you. The only webcam that will broadcast in meetings is that of the group leader, but please make sure if you have a camera on your computer, it has been turned off, as well.

How do I subscribe your newsletter?

On the homepage, you will see a box on the right-hand side labeled “Receive our Brighter Outlook Newsletter”.
Type in your email address name, and you will be automatically added to our newsletter distribution list.